BLDUP Spotlight: STARS of Boston: Furnished Apartment Rentals Transforming Corporate Travel 05/19/23

stars spotlight

Boston’s building boom has led to a growing number of construction professionals flocking to the area. STARS units are ideal for those who are looking for something between hotels and traditional rentals; providing the privacy of a home while still offering the convenience of a hotel stay. In this BLDUP Spotlight, we spoke with the Founder of Stars of Boston, a WBENC Certified Company, Kama Cicero.

 

BLDUP: What is STARS of Boston?

Kama Cicero: STARS of Boston (Short-Term Apartment Rental Solutions) is the Premier provider of Furnished Short-Term Apartment Rentals in Metro Boston. We are a Woman Owned, WBENC Certified Company, that provides fully-furnished rental options for short-term or extended stays. 

Spaces range from private rooms or studio to five-bedroom apartments. Properties are located in the Metro Boston area: Brookline, Brighton, Cambridge, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the South End. Our spaces can be rented for a few days, several weeks, or multiple months. All units are fully furnished and equipped with all the amenities from home.  All properties are located within walking distance of public transportation and shopping.

BLDUP: As the President and Owner of STARS, how would you best describe your company? 

Kama Cicero: Whether you’re a CEO, Architect, Engineer, High-Tech, Medical, or Construction Professional, we have an apartment that is “designed for living” in Greater Boston. We focus on creating a unique Boston experience for our guests by providing comfortable, convenient apartments in and around Boston. STARS units are ideal for those who are looking for something between hotels and traditional rentals; providing the privacy of a home while still offering the convenience of a hotel stay. The STARS difference is delivered by friendly, responsive guest services with complimentary and VIP extras. We cater to each individual needs and can offer weekly cleanings, airport pick up and drop off, pet walking, babysitting, help with booking tourist attractions, and more.

BLDUP: How does the construction industry fit into your portfolio of clients? 

Kama Cicero: Boston’s building boom has led to a growing number of Architects, Consultants, Contractors and other construction professionals using our services. Some keep the apartment as their base of operations while heading home on the weekends, while other companies have the monthly rental and use our cleaning service to rotate employees through. 

BLDUP: Tell us more about where your units are located and the types of buildings they are found in.

Kama Cicero: STARS of Boston units can be found in Boston’s Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Brighton, South End and Fenway areas. We also have units right outside of Boston in Brookline and Cambridge Massachusetts. Our units can be found in modern mid-rise buildings, luxury full-service buildings, brick mid-rises, brownstones, and 2 and 3-family homes.

BLDUP: What size apartments do you offer?

Kama Cicero: We want all of our guests to feel like STARS is their second home, so we have a wide range of accommodations from private rooms, studios, 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom units. These units are available for a few days to a year or more. 

BLDUP: What can your client expect when they arrive at your apartments?

Kama Cicero: Each unit is fully furnished top to bottom with all kitchenware, linens, appliances, internet, electric, heat, and AC included. A personalized welcome packet with neighborhood information will greet each guest, all at a great price. 

BLDUP: Can I bring my Pet?

Kama Cicero: Yes! Almost all of our units are pet friendly

BLDUP: Do you offer any kind of special services?

Kama Cicero:  STARS offers a complete range of services that include, child care, pet service, cleaning service, spa, and massage appointments. We also have laundry service, car service, airport pickup/drop off, tourist reservations, and suggestions. Our team is available to help with questions, maintenance issues or other assistance, 7 days a week. We pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service, getting to know each of our guests on a first-name basis. 

BLDUP: What if your client needs to move into long-term housing or relocate to the Boston Area?

Kama Cicero: We also provide standard real estate services for leasing or buying properties through our sister company, Washington Square Residential. 

BLDUP: Do I need a car? 

Kama Cicero: Parking in any major city is always a challenge, but Boston is tougher than most, as some of our streets are over 200 years old. We do offer off-street and rental parking for various units, Boston’s excellent transportation system makes it easy to get around. At STARS we focus on providing units that have a high walkability score and great access to public transportation. Our units are in town, so ride-sharing services are short and inexpensive.  

BLDUP: How do you process payments?

Kama Cicero:  STARS takes all major credit cards, Zelle, Venmo, and offers 30-day terms to our commercial clients. Our units are typically half the expense of a Boston hotel, keeping expenses low while meeting project benchmarks for minority businesses.